Daniel O’Connell – Beef with Mushroom

Management changes, culture changes, staff changes...the time comes when you have to re-review to make sure that quality is still being produced. Previously I went to the Dan O’Connell in North Adelaide with super high expectations of a mind altering schnitzel meal and left, well, disappointed after sampling only a 4 star meal. Admittedly back then the meal only lost 1 star due to lumping us out the back and limp salad...those things can’t be too hard to change surely...especially as this time we booked a table in the lounge bar.

The schnitzel looked gorgeous on the plate and while it was at the upper end of my size threshold, it wasn’t the over whelming, stomach cramping, dinner plate size of some of the “mega” schnitzels. It was golden, it was crispy, it wasn’t too thin and it was topped with a creamy mushroom sauce distinct from any other mushroom sauce encountered on South Australian schnitzels.

The portion of chips, though hidden for the most part under the schnitzel (which is the bane of some schnitzel lovers existence, but not this one) was plentiful, crunchy and well flavoured. Unlike their last disaster, the Dan O, pulled the rabbit out of the hat this time and delivered a fresh, colourful, well dressed salad, which added the final touches to this already perfect meal.

What can I say, at this price, at this time, this schnitzel would get my vote as the best schnitzel meal in South Australia.

Summary: The complete package.
Price: $15.95
Rating: 5 Stars

Where:
The Daniel O’Connell
165 Tynte Street North Adelaide

Mawson Lakes Hotel - Mawson Mega Chicken Parmigiana

BIG SCHNITZEL ALERT!

The Mawson Lakes Hotel is quite a nice eatery. The bistro is large and well furnished and the other areas, from my brief look, appeared to be of the same high standard. During recent years the Mawson has become infamous for its dangerously large schnitzels, somewhere eclipsing the Earl of Leicester along the way.

Upon arrival I immediately ordered the Mega Chicken Parmigiana and after some meal ordering amusement I took my chair in the bistro. Today, there were four Schnitzel Lover associates in tow, of which three were aiming to devour mega schnitzels.

I wasn't disappointed when the meal arrived... it was big! Clearly the schnitzel was two standard schnitzels joined together, but I didn't mind. The size of the meal made it necessary to forgo the chip rescue in favour of beginning the meal itself.

Cutting in and taking my first bite was a joy to behold, the chicken meat was delicious and perfectly cooked whilst the slight crunch to the crumbing was just right.

The cheese covered the entire meal and was toasted to an excellent golden brown. The chips were above average and were found in a decent quantity under the mega schnitzel.

Size-wise, how does it compare to the Coopers Ale House? pretty well actually. The Ale House schnitzels often feature a larger surface area and cover more of the plate. The Mawson Mega instead provides a thicker schnitzel which, without having the luxury of weighing the meal, makes the two equal in my book.

Problems with the meal? Maybe the cost of $19.90 (plus $4 for parmigiana topping) is a bit too high for some, but with the standard meal costing $15.90 why wouldn't you upsize when you're getting double the schnitzel? Further to this, the cost of the meal includes access to the salad bar in the centre of the bistro, which is far superior to paying an additional $2 at the Ale House for a crappy salad.

If you can eat big schnitzels this is worth paying for.

Price: $23.90

Rating: 5 stars

General Havelock - Chicken Parmigiana (Two Pints Two Parmi's Deal)

On my last visit I spotted what could be one of the finest schnitzel deals around, Two Pints and Two Parmis for 18 bucks! Was it too good to be true?

At one point it seemed like I wouldn't have a mate to share the deal with thanks to odd numbers at our table, this did not concern me. After further talks we organised a split and off to order we were. From memory, the pints on offer consisted of draught, pale and dry, not bad. I grabbed my beer and sat in hungry anticipation. It wasn't long before the meal arrived.

At first glance I was impressed, but it soon dawned on me that the schnitzel covered one of the smallest portions of chips I've had. Oh well, they tasted good. Tasty but standard salad.

The schnitzel was moderate in surface area but lacked a little in depth. The cheese was melted well and the sauce combined well with it to give a good overall taste. The chicken was cooked well but the crumbing was a little soft for my liking.

Overall, this schnitzel deal is fantastic. When splitting with a friend you get an above average schnitzel with a free pint for only 9 bucks. For this it gets maximum points. But be warned, at it's standard price (16.40) it's only an above average schnitzel.

Two Pints, Two Parmi's Deal

Price: $18

Rating: 5 stars

Coopers Ale House - Chicken Mediterranean

The Ale House, what I regard as the current schnitzel heart of South Australia. A corner pub in central Adelaide, the Ale House is well located for all but the most distant schnitzel lover. The house offers three dining choice depending on what you after. The front bar has enough seating for a few groups to get a counter meal. The restaurant is nicely furnished and caters to the more sophisticated. The bistro is as simple and unadorned as can be...

There were multiple schnitzels on the menu but I had my eye on one from the beginning. The idea of eggplant continued to intrigue despite the flop at The Gov. The Ale House would look pricey to a newcomer but soon they find out what they're in for.

BIG SCHNITZEL! A healthy serving of tasty chips is, as always, quickly rescued from underneath the monster bird. Disclaimer: Schnitzel not blurry in real life.

Golden brown, the schnitzel perfectly walks the tight-rope of under-crisp to burnt crumbing. The quantity of the tomato base was perfect and provided great coverage to the schnitzel. Semi-dried tomatoes added a sweeter taste to the meal. The marinated eggplant slices were thick and delicious, not overcooked and rubbery as was found at The Gov. The bocconcini cheese was well spread out over the surface of the schnitzel. Struggling to find a fault I noted the lack of salad, which due to the meal size is provided in a separate bowl for an extra buck fifty.

Price: $18

Rating: 5 stars